Facilitating data manipulation in a browser-based user interface of an enterprise business application

ABSTRACT

Optimal presentation and editing of business data in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-based business information system is described, including a browser at a user computer in dynamic communication with a web server allowing database editing and updating without browser page refreshes. For optimizing the data input/editing experience of the user, an array of features in various combinations is provided including: single-click instantiation of cell editing in a table displayed by the browser; single off-click or keyboard commits instantiating cell-wise data transfers; bulk editing allowing group modification of data elements across a plurality of adjacently-displayed or non-adjacently displayed records; client-side, location-based caching of old cell values allowing selective go-back for any edited or bulk-edited cell, in any order desired by the user, prior to a page-refreshing input event; and easy establishment/modification of sub-records associated with any of a displayed list of records using sub-record access icons, rollover menus, and auxiliary browser windows.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No.10/406,915, entitled “Concise Communication Of Real-Time BusinessInformation In An Enterprise Network,” filed Apr. 4, 2003, which isassigned to the assignee of the present invention, and which isincorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

This patent specification relates to user interfaces of businessmanagement software and systems. More particularly, this patentspecification relates to a method, system, computer program product, andrelated business methods for easy user manipulation of data in abrowser-based user interface of a web-based enterprise businessapplication.

BACKGROUND

As described in Ser. No. 10/406,915, supra, functional and strategicadvantages for commercial enterprises can be achieved by using anintegrated business system comprising ERP (Enterprise ResourcePlanning), CRM (Customer Relationship Management), and other businesscapabilities accessible using a thin-client, browser-based userinterface. Also as described in Ser. No. 10/406,915, these advantagescan be enhanced where the user interface is configured to conciselycommunicate real-time business information by displaying a plurality ofportlet windows within a browser window, the plurality of portletwindows being selected and arranged according to a customizable userprofile for each user. By way of example, the plurality of portletwindows can include: business reporting portlets for displayingup-to-date business results; calendar application portlets; task listapplication portlets; employee/customer contact list applicationportlets; search portlets; and generally any of a variety ofcombinations of business reporting and/or application portlets dedicatedto different ERP, CRM, and other business capabilities. In one or moreof the preferred embodiments described in Ser. No. 10/406,915, thebrowser-based user interface is similar to an “executive dashboard”feature of the NetSuite™ service offered by NetSuite, Inc. (formerlyNetLedger, Inc.) of San Mateo, Calif.

In addition to optimizing accessibility and display of up-to-datebusiness information in the browser-based user interface, it has beenfound that optimizing the experience of inputting and editing thebusiness information can drastically increase the usefulness,desirability, and marketability of the web-based integrated businesssystem. In an environment where so much business power is conciselypresented to the eyes and fingertips of the business user, it has beenfound that even subtle differences in the nature of the keystrokes,mouse movements, and mouse clicks that input or edit the businessinformation can create large differences in user appeal toward theweb-based integrated business system. In a related aspect, it isdesirable to achieve an optimal balance among (i) prompt datapermanence, i.e., prompt transfer of new data from the browser to theserver, (ii) effective client-side go-back features for easy correctionof recent inputs, and (iii) efficient network traffic flow. In anotherrelated aspect, it is desirable to achieve an efficient balance between(i) easy user changeability of many database entries relating to aparticular displayed record, and (ii) achieving a user display that isnot overcrowded with information.

As used herein, the term web page refers to a generally self-contained(except for cached data) body of content and commands generated by a webserver and transferred over a network to a web browser for rendering andexecution, the body of content and commands being sent responsive to apage request received from the web browser. The page request canalternatively be termed a page commit or a page refresh. As used herein,the term web page display refers to a rendering of the web page by thebrowser for visual (or audiovisual) presentation to the user accordingto the content and commands contained in the web page. A web page maycomprise one or more frames which, as used herein, comprise distinctbodies of content and commands generated by a web server and aretransferred over a network to a web browser responsive to a page requestand/or a frame request, renderings of which may be simultaneouslydisplayed by a browser.

As used herein, the term record refers to a representation of two ormore related data elements as would be kept, for example, as part of arelational database. The data elements can alternatively be termedcells. By way of example, an employee directory listing may comprise onerecord per employee, each record comprising multiple data elements orcells including first name, last name, telephone extension, mail stop,and e-mail address. As used herein the term table refers to a listing ofone or more such records.

In U.S. 2003/0001885A1, published Jan. 2, 2003, entitled “Method ofGenerating a Dynamic Editable Table in a Web Page,” a web pagecomprising JavaScript implementing “dynamic interactive operations” on atable is discussed, including “allowing the client to perform variousediting and statistical operations on the dynamic editable table” and“simultaneously” storing the corresponding data on the server. Anarticle entitled “Isomorphic Broadens Rich Web Client Appeal” by CharlesBabcock, The Foggy Mountain Report, No. 19 (Jan. 8, 2003), discusses“inline editing of databound grids (double-click in a cell in theInstant Data Application example to edit).” However, it is believed thatneither of these references proposes the optimized user input andediting experience described herein that takes into account specialneeds and tendencies of the business user as they are presented with abrowser window containing a wide variety and range of concise ERP, CRM,and other business information.

Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a browser-based userinterface for a web-based integrated business information system thatfacilitates efficient user input and/or editing of business data.

It would be further desirable to provide such a browser-based userinterface that also facilitates efficient user perception of real-timebusiness information.

It would be still further desirable to provide such a browser-based userinterface that allows business executives to perceive, at a glance,overviews of key business performance metrics corresponding toinformation stored in the integrated business information system.

It would be even further desirable to provide such a browser-based userinterface that also achieves an optimal balance among prompt datapermanence, effective client-side go-back features, and efficientnetwork traffic flow.

It would be still further desirable to provide such a browser-based userinterface that is not dependent on runtime downloads such as the JavaVirtual Machine, while also being sufficiently feature-rich to enableoptimized data input and/or editing features.

It would be still further desirable to provide such a browser-based userinterface that also achieves an efficient balance between (i) easy userchangeability of many database entries relating to a particulardisplayed record, and (ii) a user display that is not overcrowded withinformation.

SUMMARY

A method, system, computer program product, and related business methodsare provided for optimally presenting and editing business data in aweb-based integrated business system having thin-client, browser-baseduser access. A web page generated by a web server is received anddisplayed by a browser at a user computer, the browser displaying a listof records derived from the database, each record comprising a pluralityof cells. In one preferred embodiment, responsive to a single-clickselection of a cell and without requiring intervening user input, theselected cell is placed in an EDIT state and visually highlighting forediting. After receiving editing commands and a terminating input suchas a click-off or a predetermined cell-committing keyboard input, thenew cell value is displayed and dynamically communicated to the webserver without requiring a page refresh of the browser.

In another preferred embodiment, when a cell is modified and the newvalue communicated to the web server, the old cell value is maintainedin browser memory. At any time after cell modification but prior to apage-refreshing input event, the user may return to the cell and selecta go-back command (e.g., CNTL-Z), which causes the old cell value to bedisplayed and communicated to the web server, without requiring a pagerefresh. In contrast to go-back schemes that perform sequentialkeystroke-caching, the preferred go-back scheme maintains old cellvalues in the browser memory according to their table location. Thisallows the user, prior to a page refresh, to restore old values to themodified cells in any order, and without requiring a query to the webserver. The above preferred method has been found to provide anadvantageous balance among data permanence, efficient network trafficflow, and go-back convenience.

In another preferred embodiment, a bulk editing feature is provided inthe browser-based user interface that allows easy group modification ofdata cells in adjacently listed records. When a first cell in a datacolumn is selected using a single-click input and a second cell in thesame data column is selected using a bulk selection input (such as aSHIFT-click), any cells lying between the first and second cells arealso selected and highlighted. Upon user editing of the first cellestablishing a first value and a terminating input such as a click-offor a predetermined cell-committing keyboard input, all of the values inthe first, second, and intervening cells are modified according to thefirst value, and these changes are dynamically communicated to the webserver without requiring a page refresh of the browser. In anotherpreferred embodiment, easy group modification of non-adjacently listedrecords is provided by using a bulk group addition input (such as aCNTL-click) for adding cells to the bulk editing cell group. In stillanother preferred embodiment, the advantages of pre-page-refreshclient-side caching of old cell values are combined with these bulkediting features, allowing selective go-back for any of the bulk-editedcells, in any order desired by the user, prior to a page-refreshinginput event, and without requiring a query to the web server.

In another preferred embodiment, easy establishment or modification ofsub-records associated with any one of a displayed list of records isprovided. A first browser window displays a row-wise list of records,and further displays a sub-record access icon adjacent to each record.When the user rolls over the sub-record access icon, a rollover menu isdisplayed comprising a plurality of sub-record identifiers associatedwith the record adjacent to that sub-record access icon. Upon receipt ofa user selection of one of the sub-record identifiers, and withoutrefreshing the first browser window, a second browser window is spawnedfor receiving user inputs establishing or modifying a sub-recordassociated with the selected sub-record identifier. Upon transfer of theestablished or modified sub-record information from the user computer tothe web server, the second window is closed. In this manner, sub-recordsassociated with a record listed in the first browser window areestablished or modified without refreshing the first browser window,thereby maintaining continuity of record list presentation while alsoallowing substantive database changes associated therewith.

Preferably, the above browser-based editing capabilities or extreme listediting capabilities are implemented in a web-based integrated businesssystem that has at least ERP and CRM functionality, the browser-baseduser interface displaying a plurality of portlet windows within abrowser window, each portlet window occupying a relatively small areawithin the browser window. The plurality of portlet windows are selectedand arranged according to a customizable user profile for each user, andinclude any of a variety of combinations of business reporting and/orapplication portlets dedicated to different ERP, CRM, and other businesscapabilities. Integrating the features and advantages of thebrowser-based editing capabilities described herein with one or more ofthe browser-based executive dashboard capabilities described in Ser. No.10/406,915, supra, has been found to achieve a powerful, appealing, andhighly marketable service offering.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a computer network includingan enterprise network and an integrated business system according to apreferred embodiment;

FIG. 2 illustrates a home page/dashboard of an interactive browser-baseduser interface according to a preferred embodiment;

FIG. 3 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 4-9 illustrate conceptual diagrams of a browser-based userinterface, user input occurrences associated with the browser-based userinterface, and network communication occurrences associated therewithcorresponding to various steps outlined in FIG. 3;

FIG. 10 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 11-19 illustrate conceptual diagrams of a browser-based userinterface, user input occurrences associated with the browser-based userinterface, and network communication occurrences associated therewithcorresponding to various steps outlined in FIG. 10;

FIG. 20 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment;

FIGS. 21-23 illustrate conceptual diagrams of a browser-based userinterface corresponding to various steps outlined in FIG. 20;

FIG. 24 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment; and

FIGS. 25-26 illustrate conceptual diagrams of a browser-based userinterface corresponding to various steps outlined in FIG. 24.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates a conceptual diagram of a network 100 including anintegrated business system 102 and an enterprise network 104 into whichthe features and advantages of one or more preferred embodiments may berealized. Enterprise network 104 is associated generally with a businessenterprise that may be as small as a single-employee sole proprietorshipor as large as a multinational corporation having many differentfacilities and internal networks spread across many continents.Alternatively, and in accordance with the advantages of an applicationservice provider (ASP) hosted integrated business system, the businessenterprise may comprise no dedicated facilities or business network atall, provided that its end users have access to an internet browser andan internet connection. For simplicity and clarity of explanation, theenterprise network 104 is simply represented by an on-site local areanetwork 106 to which a plurality of personal computers 108 is connected,each generally dedicated to a particular end user although suchdedication is not required, along with an exemplary remote user computer110 that can be, for example, a laptop computer of a traveling employeehaving internet access through a hotel, coffee shop, a public Wi-Fiaccess point, or other internet access modality. The end usersassociated with computers 108 and 110 may also each possess a personaldigital assistant (PDA) such as a Blackberry, Palm, Handspring, or otherPDA unit having wireless internet access and/or cradle-basedsynchronization capabilities. Users of the enterprise network 104interface with the integrated business system 102 across the Internet112.

Integrated business system 102, which is preferably hosted by adedicated third party ASP, comprises an integrated business server 114and a web server 116 coupled as shown in FIG. 1. It is to be appreciatedthat either or both of the integrated business server 114 and the webserver 116 may actually be implemented on several different hardwaresystems and components even though represented as singular units inFIG. 1. Integrated business server 114 comprises an ERP functionality asrepresented by ERP module 118, and further comprises a CRM functionalityas represented by CRM module 120. It is to be appreciated thatidentification herein of business functionalities with modules does notlimit the scope of the preferred embodiments to segregated unitsthereof. In many preferred embodiments the ERP module 118 may sharemethods, libraries, databases, subroutines, variables, etc., with CRMmodule 120, and indeed ERP module 118 may be intertwined with CRM module120 into a larger integrated code set without departing from the scopeof the preferred embodiments.

It is to be appreciated that FIG. 1 is a simplified conceptualillustration presented so as to clearly describe the preferredembodiments herein. A variety of computing, storage, and networkinghardware associated with the enterprise network 104 and the integratedbusiness system 102, such as e-mail servers, databases, applicationservers, internet gateways, internal and external routers, securitydevices, internet service provider facilities, and related softwareprotocols and methods necessary for operation are known in the art andneed not be detailed here. Examples of such known computing, storage,and networking hardware can be found, for example, in US2002/0152399A1and US2002/0169797A1, which are incorporated by reference herein.

Similarly, in view of the present disclosure, a person skilled in theart would be able to construct software packages capable of achievingthe business data communication, presentation, input, and editingfunctionalities described herein without undue experimentation, usingpublicly available programming tools and software development platforms.When running in the user's browser, web pages generated according to thepreferred embodiments implement a client-side application thatdynamically presents business information to the user and dynamicallycommunicates with the web server 116. Preferably, the web pages areimplemented using only the following file types that comprise a standardweb page: JavaScript (.js), Java Server Pages (.jsp), stylesheets(.css), images (.gif, .jpg, etc.), and HTML files. Web pages requiringrun-time downloads such as the Java Virtual Machine are less preferred,but are not necessarily outside the scope of the preferred embodiments.It has been found preferable to generate the preferred web pagesaccording to the capabilities of Microsoft Internet Explorer, Version5.5 and greater, which include the ability to leverage features of DOM(Document Object Model) 2.0, such web pages achieving the optimized userinterface described herein without requiring run-time downloads.

It has been found preferable to implement the list editing and otherdata manipulation functionalities described herein without using browserframes. Generally speaking, it is observed that frame refreshes aretantamount to page refreshes from a network traffic viewpoint, a userperception viewpoint, and a programming viewpoint. Unless indicatedotherwise herein, if an operation is specified as not requiring a pagerefresh, it is likewise to be inferred that the operation does notrequire a frame refresh.

Programming techniques that can be used to achieve the functionalitiesdescribed herein can be found, for example, in Ray, D. and Ray, E.,Mastering HTML and XHTML, SYBEX, Inc. (2002), and in Goodman, D.,JavaScript Bible: Gold Edition, Hungry Minds, Inc. (2001). Securityconsiderations can also be accommodated using known methods based, forexample, on HTTPS (Hypertext Transfer Protocol Secure), a secure versionof HTTP using certificates that can uniquely identify the server and theclient and that encrypt all communication between them.

According to one preferred embodiment, the integrated business system102 is similar to one used by NetSuite, Inc. (formerly NetLedger, Inc.)of San Mateo, Calif. providing the hosted business services NetSuite™,Oracle® Small Business Suite, NetCRM™, and NetERP™, descriptions ofwhich can be found at www.netsuite.com (formerly www.netledger.com). Ina preferred embodiment similar to NetSuite™, the ERP module 118comprises an accounting module, an order processing module, a time andbilling module, an inventory management module, an employee managementand payroll module, a calendaring and collaboration module, a reportingand analysis module, and other ERP-related modules. The CRM module 120comprises a sales force automation (SFA) module, a marketing automationmodule, a contact list module (not shown), a call center support module,a web-based customer support module, a reporting and analysis module,and other CRM-related modules. The integrated business server further114 further provides other business functionalities including a webstore/e-commerce module 122, a partner and vendor management module 124,and an integrated reporting module 130. These functionalities areseamlessly integrated and executed by a single code base accessing oneor more integrated databases as necessary. In another preferredembodiment, an SCM module 126 and PLM module 128 is provided. Web server116 is configured and adapted to interface with the integrated businessserver 114 to provide web-based user interfaces to end users of theenterprise network 104.

In an alternative preferred embodiment (not shown), one or more of theabove business modules may be implemented by functionally separateservers and/or platforms that communicate with each other and with anintegration server (not shown) over a LAN, a WAN, or the Internet.Protocols that may be used to facilitate inter-server communicationsinclude smbXML and qbXML.

FIG. 2 illustrates a browser window 202 displaying a dashboard 204 of aninteractive browser-based user interface according to a preferredembodiment. In one preferred embodiment, the dashboard 204 is similar toan “executive dashboard” feature of the NetSuite™ release currentlyoffered by NetSuite, Inc. (formerly NetLedger, Inc.) of San Mateo,Calif. as of the filing date of the present application. In one or morepreferred embodiments described herein, interactive list editingfeatures are described that are similar to an “extreme list editing”feature of a subsequent NetSuite™ release intended for public releaseafter the filing date of the present application.

Dashboard 204 comprises a plurality of portlets providing and/orallowing access to a variety of different ERP, CRM, and othercapabilities, including: a calendar application portlet 206, a settingsportlet 208, and business result portlets 210, 212, and 214. Eachportlet is provided with a repositioning icon on its title bar, such asicon 219, that can be clicked and dragged to allow dynamic portletrearranging as described in Ser. No. 10/406,915, supra. Dashboard 204further comprises a search results portlet 216 displaying up-to-dateresults for one or more saved search requests, and a custom vendorfinancial view portlet 218, both including list data and drill-downlinks to underlying data views. The search results portlet 216 comprisesa plurality of records such as the record 220. Record 220 comprises aplurality of data elements or cells including a date cell 222, a textcell 224, and a priority level cell 226. The search results portlet 216and the custom vendor financial view portlet 218 are each easilyeditable according to the preferred embodiments described herein.

FIG. 3 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment,including steps for single-click instantiation of cell editing in atable displayed by a browser, and including steps for single off-clickor keyboard-commit instantiation of cell-wise data transfers. FIGS. 4-9illustrate a conceptual diagram of a user computer 110 coupled to a webserver 116 across a network 112, along with a portion of the browserwindow 202 from FIG. 2 being shown thereon. FIGS. 4-9 further illustratea keyboard 402 and mouse 404 associated with the user computer 110 forillustrating keyboard inputs and mouse clicks associated with the stepsof FIG. 3. It is to be appreciated that the mouse movements and clicksdescribed herein have direct equivalents in the event that atouch-screen display is used, with single screen taps being equivalentto single mouse clicks, which are within the scope of the preferredembodiments. Likewise, single-click inputs can be achieved by otherpoint-and-click input devices such as touchpads, “eraserhead” pointers,and joysticks. References herein to mouse movements and mouse clicks arealso to be considered as references to such types of point-and-clickdevices and their equivalents.

At step 302, a browser at user computer 110 receives a web page from webserver 116 and renders it in the browser window. With reference to FIG.4, the user rolls the cursor 406 over to a data cell 224, the cursortaking the familiar form of a hand to indicate that the data cell 224 iseditable. At step 304, the user single-clicks the data cell 224 (seeFIG. 5), and at step 306 the data cell 224 is highlighted and placedinto edit mode without requiring any further intervening user input, thehighlighted data cell 224 also being shown in FIG. 5.

At steps 308 and 310, editing commands are received (see FIG. 6) forchanging the contents of the data cell 224. As indicated in FIG. 6, atext input cursor 602 is provided in the data cell 224 to guide userinput. In other preferred embodiments, various kinds of multiple-choiceselection menus (e.g., yes/no, high/medium/low, country or stateselection lists, Mr./Mrs./Ms./Dr. selection lists, etc.) are provided.

Data cell editing ends upon receipt of a terminating edit command,wherein at step 312 the new data value is displayed, and wherein atsteps 314-316 the new value is transmitted to the web server, withoutrequiring a page refresh, if that new value is different than the oldvalue.

FIGS. 7-9 illustrate different kinds of terminating edit commandsaccording to the preferred embodiments. FIG. 7 illustrates the use of aterminating input command that is a predetermined cell-committingkeyboard input, comprising the pressing of the ENTER key on thekeyboard. In this case, the data cell 702 directly below the data cell224 is immediately selected and highlighted for editing, withoutrequiring any intervening user input. This corresponds to a branch fromstep 318 to 320 in FIG. 3, which then returns to the step 306 for thesubsequently selected data cell 702.

According to a preferred embodiment, different predeterminedcell-committing keyboard inputs are associated with inherent directionsfor immediate selection/highlighting of a subsequent data cell forediting. The ENTER key is associated with a DOWN direction, asillustrated in FIG. 7. By way of further non-limiting example, otherpredetermined cell-committing keyboard inputs may include: a TAB commandhaving a predetermined inherent direction of RIGHT; a SHIFT-TAB commandhaving a predetermined inherent direction of LEFT; an UP ARROW commandhaving a predetermined inherent direction of UP; and a DOWN ARROWcommand having a predetermined inherent direction of DOWN.

According to a preferred embodiment, client-side validation is performedby the browser prior to sending a newly entered data value to the webserver 116. Client-side validation comprises a preliminary “sanitycheck” for data, such as for ensuring that allowable data types areprovided. Erroneous inputs recognized during the client-side validationcause an error pop-up box to be displayed, which can be programmed usingknown JavaScript methods, and are not sent to the web server 116. Thus,by way of example, if a decimal value is entered into a “date” field,the client-side validation feature will causes an error pop-up box to bedisplayed instructing the user to enter the proper data type, andprevents that decimal value from being sent to the web server 116. Theuser can then clear the error box and re-enter the data.

According to another preferred embodiment, dynamic server-sidevalidation is performed by the web server 116 after receiving the newdata value, in conjunction with the integrated business system 102 asnecessary, to perform higher-level error checking. By way of example, ifthere is a new “end date” assigned to a given record that has alreadybeen assigned a “start date”, and if the “end date” erroneously fallsbefore the “start date”, this error is recognized. A dynamiccommunication, not requiring a browser refresh, is transmitted back fromthe web server 116 to the browser, and the browser displays an errorpop-up box to the user advising them of the error.

FIG. 8 illustrates the use of a terminating input command that is aclick-off of cursor 406 to a location in the browser window 202 that is(a) not on the data cell 224, and (b) not on any other editable datacell. This corresponds to a branch in FIG. 3 from step 318 to step 322and back, after any number of interim inputs, to either step 302 (if apage-committing input is received at some point) or to step 304otherwise.

FIG. 9 illustrates the use of a terminating input command that is aclick-off of cursor 406 to a location in the browser window 202 that ison another editable data cell 902, wherein the data cell 902 isimmediately selected and highlighted for editing, without requiring anyintervening user input, even where the data cell 902 is in a differenttable than the data cell 224. This corresponds to a branch in FIG. 3from step 318 to step 322 and back to step 306 for the newly selecteddata cell 902.

FIG. 10 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment,including bulk editing allowing group modification of data elementsacross a plurality of adjacently-displayed records, and includingclient-side, location-based caching of old cell values allowingselective go-back for any edited or bulk-edited cell, in any orderdesired by the user, prior to a page-refreshing input event. FIGS. 11-19illustrate a conceptual diagram of a table listing 1102 displayed in abrowser window of the user computer 110, along with conceptual displaysof keyboard input, mouse input, and network traffic flow analogous tothose shown supra for FIGS. 4-9.

The table 1102 may be a sole table listed in the browser window 202, ormay be one of many portlets being displayed in a dashboard configurationin the browser window 202. At step 1002, the user positions the cursor406 over a first cell 1104 (see FIG. 11) and provides a single-clickinput. At step 1004, the first cell 1104 is highlighted and placed in anEDIT mode (see FIG. 12). At step 1006, the user moves the cursor 406over a second cell (see FIG. 13, cell 1302) and enters a bulk selectioninput, such as a SHIFT-CLICK, whereupon at step 1008 a bulk cell groupincluding the first cell 1104, the second cell 1302, and all cellstherebetween (see FIG. 14) are selected and highlighted for bulkediting. In the example of FIG. 14, the highlighting for bulk editing isachieved by left-justifying the initially right justified data elements,although a variety of different highlighting techniques can be usedaccording to the preferred embodiments.

At step 1010, the user edits the first cell 1104 (see FIG. 15) to afirst value (e.g., 4.99) and inputs a terminating input as a click-offwithin the browser window in a non-data-cell area, whereupon at step1012 all cells in the bulk cell group are changed to the first value andat step 1014 the first value is dynamically sent to the web server forassociation with all cells in the bulk cell group (see FIG. 16).

In another preferred embodiment, easy group modification ofnon-adjacently listed records is provided by using a bulk group additioninput (such as a CNTL-click) instead of the above SHIFT-click bulkselection. Any set of non-adjacent cells in the same column as the firstcell can be added to the bulk editing cell group by placing the cursorover a desired cell and entering the bulk group addition input. Althoughit would be less efficient when three or more cells are involved, thebulk group addition input (e.g., CNTL-click) can also be used to selectadjacent cells for bulk editing instead of the bulk selection input(e.g., SHIFT-click).

At step 1016, initial values for the bulk cell group are maintained inthe browser memory, in a manner that associates them with celllocations. At step 1018, further user inputs are received, the initialvalues being maintained in the browser memory until such time as apage-refreshing input is received, at which time they are flushed fromthe browser memory.

At step 1020, the user single-clicks on any cell in the bulk cell group(see FIG. 17) and enters a go-back command. At step 1022, if nopage-refreshing input was received at step 1018 (i.e., between the bulkediting steps and the go-back command), then at step 1024 the initialvalue of that cell is retrieved from the browser memory and the cell isrestored to that initial value (see FIG. 18), and at step 1026 theinitial value is dynamically sent to the web server for that cell uponreceipt of a terminating input (see FIG. 19). If there was anintervening page refresh at step 1018, then the cell is kept at thefirst value (step 1028) that was assigned in the bulk editing steps.

In the above example it is assumed that no intermediate value-changingedits were made to the restored member of the bulk cell group. In apreferred embodiment, the browser maintains a single historical valuefor each cell that is modified. Thus, if a cell is modified more thanonce, only the most recent historical value can be restored. In otherpreferred embodiments, a sequential history is maintained in the browsermemory on a per-cell basis, thus allowing restorals to any of thevarious values entered for that cell since the last page refresh.

One powerful use of bulk editing when used with the web-based businessinformation system according to the preferred embodiments is the abilityto change common fields of logically related records using only a singledata input for all of the logically related records, rather than thelabor-intensive process of changing each record individually. To achievethis, the user may sort a list of records in a way that causes thelogically related records to be listed adjacent to each other. By way ofexample, where a client company having several sales contacts haschanged its address, the list of sales contacts can be sorted accordingto company, thereby causing all of the people for that company to belisted adjacently on the record list. The steps for bulk editing ofadjacently-listed records described supra can then be implemented tochange the street address, for example, of all of those sales contactsusing a single bulk edit.

FIG. 20 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment,including a quick-add feature for easily inserting records into a tablelisting without leaving the table listing itself. With reference to FIG.21, at step 2002 a web page from the web server is received and renderedin browser window 2102, the display including a record list 2104 and aquick-add icon 2108. At step 2004, the user selects the quick-add icon2108 causing the browser at step 2006 to display, with reference to FIG.22, an on-screen quick-add dialog 2202 over a portion of the record list2104, without requiring a browser commit. At step 2008, the user inputsan additional record in the quick-add dialog 2202. FIG. 22 illustratesthe quick-add dialog 2202 as user input for the new record is beingcompleted at cursor position 2204. The user submits the new record tothe web server by pressing an ADD icon contained in the quick-add dialog2202. At step 2010, the new record (see FIG. 23, record 2302) isinserted in the displayed record list. Advantageously, the new record isentered at a location that is in close proximity to the existing recordlist 2104, and in general column-wise correlation therewith, tofacilitate overall ease of data input. In the event that any particularcolumns are displayed on the record list 2104 not provided for in thequick-add dialog 2204 (for example, “Category” in FIG. 23) that datacell is easily populated using the direct cell-editing featuresdescribed supra.

FIG. 24 illustrates steps in an optimized data input and/or editingexperience in a browser-based user interface of an integrated web-basedbusiness information system according to a preferred embodiment,including allowing easy establishment/modification of sub-recordsassociated with any of a displayed list of records using sub-recordaccess icons, rollover menus, and auxiliary browser windows. Withreference to FIG. 25, at step 2402 a web page from the web server isreceived and rendered in a first browser window 2102, the displayincluding a record list 2104 and, for each record, a sub-record accessicon such as the icon 2502 for the “Andrew A. Anderson” record. At step2404, the user rolls over the sub-record access icon 2502, whereupon atstep 2405 a rollover menu 2504 is displayed comprising a plurality ofsub-record identifiers, such as the “New Note” sub-record identifier2506.

At step 2406, the user selects a desired sub-record identifier, whereinat step 2408, a second browser window (see FIG. 26, browser window 2602)is spawned in the user computer at a location and in a manner that keepsthe record list 2104 in the first browser window 2102 visible to theuser. At step 2410, the user populates the desired sub-record using thesecond browser window 2602 and, after the sub-record is submitted to theweb server, the second browser window 2602 is closed, preferablyautomatically. Thus, sub-records associated with a record listed in thefirst browser window 2102 are established or modified without refreshingthat browser window, thereby maintaining continuity of presentation ofrecord list 2104 while also allowing substantive database changesassociated with its member records to be entered.

Whereas many alterations and modifications of the present invention willno doubt become apparent to a person of ordinary skill in the art afterhaving read the foregoing description, it is to be understood that theparticular embodiments shown and described by way of illustration are inno way intended to be considered limiting. Therefore, reference to thedetails of the preferred embodiments are not intended to limit theirscope, which is limited only by the scope of the claims set forth below.

1-29. (canceled)
 30. A method for updating data being displayed to auser, said data being obtained at least in part from a data storageelement, said data storage element storing a plurality of data elementshaving values associated therewith, the method comprising: (a)displaying a rendering of data elements and associated values receivedfrom said data storage element in a browser window, said rendered dataelements and associated values including at least a first data elementhaving a first initial associated value and a second data element havinga second initial associated value, wherein the value associated withsaid second data element is dependent on the value associated with saidfirst data element; (b) receiving editing commands from the usercorresponding to replacing said first initial associated value with afirst modified associated value of said first data element, said editingcommands ending with a terminating command; (c) responsive to saidterminating command: (i) updating the display of said first data elementin said rendering to reflect said first modified associated valuewithout requiring a refresh of said browser window; and (ii)transferring said first modified associated value to said data storageelement; (d) responsive to said transfer of said first modifiedassociated value to the data storage element: (i) updating the valueassociated with said first data element in said data storage element toreflect said first modified associated value; and (ii) updating thevalue associated with said second data element in said data storageelement based on said dependence, thereby creating a second modifiedassociated value; and (e) updating said rendering of said second dataelement in said browser window rendering to reflect said second modifiedassociated value.
 31. The method of claim 30, wherein step (b) furthercomprises: maintaining said first initial associated value in a memoryof the user's computing device associated with said browser, and themethod further comprises: (f) receiving an undo command from the user;and (g) responsive to said undo command: (i) retrieving said firstinitial associated value from said memory, (ii) updating the display ofsaid first selected data element in said rendering to reflect said firstinitial associated value, and (iii) transferring said first initialassociated value to the data storage element without requiring a pagerefresh of the browser window, for association with said first selecteddata element in said data storage element.
 32. The method of claim 31,further comprising: (h) responsive to said transfer of said firstinitial associated value to the data storage element: (i) updating saidvalue associated with said second data element in said data storageelement based on said dependence of the associated value of said seconddata element on the value of said first data element, thereby creating asecond updated associated value; and (i) updating the display of saidsecond data element in said browser window to reflect said secondupdated associated value.
 33. The method of claim 32, wherein step (d)further comprises updating the value associated with said second dataelement in said data storage element based on said dependence, therebycreating a third modified value, and the method further comprises,updating the display of said second data element in said browser windowto reflect said third modified value.
 34. The method of claim 30,wherein the data storage element is a database.
 35. The method of claim34, wherein the database is communicatively coupled to a user computingdevice, the user computing device displaying the browser window to theuser.
 36. The method of claim 35, wherein said first data element andsaid first initial associated value are stored in a first databasecommunicatively coupled to said user computing device and said seconddata element and said second initial associated value are stored in asecond database communicatively coupled to said user computing device.37. The method of claim 30, wherein said first data element and saidfirst initial value are displayed in a first portlet window within saidbrowser window and said second data element and said second initialvalue are displayed in a second portlet window within said browserwindow.
 38. The method of claim 30, further comprising prior todisplaying said rendering of said data elements and associated values,determining whether said user is authorized to view said data elementsand associated values based on said user's role within a businessorganization.
 39. The method of claim 34, wherein said database is anelement of a remotely located integrated business system.
 40. The methodof claim 39, wherein the integrated business system includes one or moreof an Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) capability, a CustomerRelationship Management (CRM) capability, or an eCommerce capability.